Jul 31
2007

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that effects over 30 million Americans alone and researchers estimate that 10 – 15% of the world population suffers from asthma. People with asthma have extra sensitive or hyper-responsive airways. The airways become irritated and narrow and constrict during an asthma attack, causing increased resistance to airflow, and obstructing the flow of the air to and from the lungs. Most often asthma must be treated with prescription medicine. There are two main types of medicines for the treatment of asthma. Quick relief medicines, also called relievers, give rapid, short-term relief and are taken when asthma symptoms worsen potentially leading to an asthma attacks. The effects of these medicines are felt within minutes. Long-term control medicines, also called preventers, are taken every day, usually over long periods of time, to control chronic symptoms and to prevent asthma attacks. The full effects of these medicines are felt after taking them for a few weeks. People with persistent asthma need long-term control medicines.

Some asthma drugs treat asthma by resembling two of our hormones. These two hormones are adrenaline (epinephrine in the USA) and hydrocortisone (a steroid).

Adrenaline (epinephrine) is pumped into our bloodstream when we have a sudden fright or emergency. It is the quick-acting hormone from the middle of the adrenal glands near our kidneys. It makes your pulse race, your heart thump, and readies your body for emergency action. In asthma, the medicines which resemble adrenaline quickly relieve asthma for a short time.

Hydrocortisone comes from the outer part of our adrenal glands, called the ‘cortex’. It is also partly an “emergency hormone” but it works much more slowly, for much longer, and in a completely different way to adrenaline. Medicines which resemble hydrocortisone slowly allow the lining of air tubes in an asthma sufferer to become normal. As a result, your asthma becomes less severe and you are less likely to get asthma attacks. So these steroid medicines are called preventers. There are other asthma ‘preventers’, but the steroids are the most powerful.

Quick relief medicines are used only when needed. A ype of quick relief medicine is a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles that have tightened around the airways. They help open up airways quickly and ease breathing. They are sometimes called “rescue” or “relief” medicines because they can stop an asthma attack very quickly. These medicines act quickly but their effects only last for a short period of time. People with asthma should take quick relief medicines when they first begin to feel asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Anyone who has asthma should always have one of these inhalers nearby in case of an attack. For severe attacks, your doctor may use steroids to treat the inflammation.

The most effective, long-term control medication for asthma is an inhaled corticosteroid. This medicine reduces the swelling of airways that makes asthma attacks more likely. Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred treatment for controlling mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma. They are safe when taken as directed by your doctor. Inhaled medicines go directly into your lungs where they are needed. There are many kinds of inhalers that require different techniques, and it is important to know how to use your inhaler correctly. In some cases, steroid tablets or liquid are used for short times to bring asthma under control. The tablet or liquid form may also be used to control severe asthma.

Many people with asthma need both a short-acting bronchodilator to use when asthma symptoms worsen rapidly and long-term daily asthma control medication to treat the ongoing inflammation. Over time, your doctor may need to make changes in your asthma medication. You may need to increase your dose, lower your dose, or try a combination of medications. Be sure to work with your doctor to find the best treatment for your asthma. The goal is to use the least amount of medicine necessary to control your asthma and to find the right medicine for you.

About the Author

Learn more about asthma and asthma medication at http://www.asthmaexplained.com

Written By: Daniel Lanicek

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Jul 28
2007

“Children born in the year 2000 or later are not expected to outlive their parents” stated Dr. David Katz of the Yale Preventive Medicine Research Center in New Haven, Connecticut at a nutrition conference last April. In March of last year, Dr. Katz quoted in a Wall Street Journal article that a ‘poor diet in kids is more dangerous than alcohol, drugs, and tobacco combined!”

Is this guy crazy? Could this really be happening? Are American kids really that sick?

Think of some kids you know. Do they have dark circles under their eyes? What about there skin? Does it have a healthy glow or a dull, clammy look? What about their hair? Their physic? Are they lean or a little on the chunky side?

If you know healthy kids today, statistics are showing they may be sick in the future. The food children and teens are allowed to eat today, will determine the disease they contract tomorrow. If we do not pay attention to what our children are eating, in the next 10 years we will see 16 & 17 yr olds dying of heart disease on a regular basis, according to Dr. Katz.

Is there evidence today backing up Dr. Katz’s claim outrageous claims?

According to the Children’s Environment Health Network, cancer kills more kids than any other disease. We’re talking about acute leukemias and tumors of the brain, nervous system, lymphatic system, kidneys, bones, and muscles. Dr. Delia Garcia, Radiology Oncologist in St. Louis has already begun treating teenagers with breast cancer. She believes kids should be considering their prom date, not their cancer treatment.

Next, according to the International Journal of Obesity, type 2 diabetes, previously referred to adult onset, has increased 10 fold in the past twenty years. This increase is so startling that it is being called an epidemic. Researchers are studying this new phenomenon and do not yet fully understand the reasons for such a change, however many believe that the increased incidence of obesity in children and adolescents, along with sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits, is responsible.

Last, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that today over 8 million children have asthma, up 232% in the last 40 years. The American Lung Association reports that asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15.

Why are our kids so sick? One reason is we eat too much bad food. The top 3 foods consumed in America are hot dogs, white bread and coffee. In 1970 we spent 6 billion on fast food. Today, we spend over 110 billion. Americans spend more on fast food than higher education, books and computers.

Over 4500 published medical studies have proven that fruits and vegetables are the key to disease prevention. All major health organizations agree that fruit and vegetable nutrition is key to a healthy life.

I’d like to share an easy solution for you and the children you love. This solution has indisputable research from high caliber, reputable, independent universities with published clinical research. This solution will provide your body with much needed antioxidants. Our bodies are whole food deficient, not vitamin deficient. This solution will deliver whole food nutrition from 25 different fruits and vegetables to your body everyday. You can no longer ignore the health epidemic in America today and the crisis our children face. Would you like to help your body fill the nutritional gap in you and your families life? I believe Dr. Katz’s comments are on target. Please visit www.AddJP.com or contact me at Lori@AddJP for more information.. Thank you.

About the author:

Hi, my name is Lori Woosley and I am a Nutrition FREAK. Many of my clients come to me because they are concerned that they are unable to incorporate 9-13 servings of fruits and vegetables into their diet every day and that’s where I come in. I resolve this by introducing them to a whole-food supplement, resolving that problem forever.

Written By: Lori Woosley

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Jul 25
2007

An asthma patient generally has sensitive air passages, or airways, resulting in difficult breathing for the patient when these air passages are irritated from an atmospheric change.

As mentioned earlier, it is crucial to note that some sports will have a higher probability of inducing attacks in an asthmatic. However this does not mean that an asthmatic cannot exercise safely.

If an asthmatic is looking for a safe sport, researchers point to swimming as the best possible sport for asthmatics ” as the breathing required rarely if ever causes chest tightness among swimmers. Although, participating in another form of exercise that would require exactly the same about of oxygen to circulate might not cause the same reaction in the participant. Yo ur guide to asthma, symptoms, causes, treatment and more.

Of course, some asthmatics will experience acute attacks when they enter the swimming pool. Researchers needed to find an explanation, and it did not prove difficult to explain the reason. Some asthmatics are very sensitive to chlorine, as an irritant. Thus, it is not possible to state that swimmers who are asthmatic do not have attacks.

Running of any type is often a terrible idea for asthmatic patients as it will, in some people, trigger an almost immediate attack. However, recent treatment advances have enabled some athletes who were previously unable to run for more than a few seconds to adapt their exercise routines to include running.

If an asthma patient is in a situation where they are breathing heavily, it may trigger the start of an asthma attack. Common instances of heavy breathing include not only exercising, but also the breathing tests required for the diagnosis of asthma.

Yes, if you are an asthmatic you should exercise. There remain many choices for type of exercises and sports. Asthma-afflicted athletes should get an appointment with a sports medicine specialist who will be able to address athletic medical issues with the patient. The specialist may also be able to provide useful tips and innovative treatment methods to the asthmatic that other physicians might not have considered trying.

Sports which involve short bursts of activity interspersed with short periods of rest make great activities for the asthmatic. Some examples include; swimming, team sports like football or softball, volleyball and yoga or Pilates. Generally, the time required for exercise induced acute attacks to occur is six minutes of constant heavy breathing.

As inspiration to continue exercising and participating in sports, it is key to notice that many past Olympians have also been asthma sufferers who managed their condition carefully, with the input and treatment plan of their physician.

These steps, if followed in combination with a personalized asthma treatment plan, will help the patient to have a successful and healthy exercise routine: * Warm up properly, and do not forget to cool down. * Avoid exercising in dry, cold air. If it cannot be avoided, be sure to cover both mouth and nose. * Stay in good physical shape – Staying healthy will increase an athlete’s ability to successfully avoid asthma attacks during exercise periods.

Many patients will require not just a preventative or reactive medication, but a tailored combination of both types of medications in order to provide them with maximum relief from their illness. Most physicians agree that the desired outcome it to get the maximum relief from the minimum amount of medication.

About the author:

Diana for www.health-care-information.org Complete guide to as thma and asthma treatment.

Written By: Diana Statham

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Jul 22
2007

Are you looking for some inside information on Asthma? Here’s an up-to-date report from Asthma experts who should know.

One of the keys to effective asthma treatment is asthma education – not just for the patient but for everyone involved in his or her life. Rather than treating asthma like a string of isolated asthma attacks, doctors are now treating asthma as a chronic condition that is affected by nearly every aspect of the patient’s life. Instead of focusing on acute care intervention, doctors now focus on daily management, medication and monitoring to help minimize symptoms of asthma and lessen the severity of asthma attacks when they do happen.

Asthma education is a key part of that management. By teaching the patient and his family how to monitor his own condition, what causes flare-ups of symptoms and how to avoid them, doctors can reduce the number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits due to asthma. Using a peak flow meter, an asthmatic can keep track of his lung capacity – and seek appropriate treatment if it wanders into the danger zone. Education about asthma can impress upon him the importance of measuring every day – and keeping careful records.

Extending that education into the community can literally save your child’s life. Something as simple as spending an hour with a third grade class to show them how to help someone having an asthma attack can pay back unexpected dividends. After all, wouldn’t you rather know that all of your child’s classmates will recognize an asthma attack – and do the right thing when they see one?

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

The administration of your child’s school is another place where asthma education can pay off big dividends. Many schools still don’t understand how vital it is that a child with asthma has his inhaler with him at all times. When schools deny an asthmatic child his right to carry his inhaler for fear that other children will find a way to abuse it, the results can be disastrous. Making the effort to do a bit of advocacy and asthma education can literally make the difference between life and death.

Community asthma education can also make a big difference in whether or not children with asthma are properly diagnosed. Many people still don’t recognize the symptoms of asthma unless they see an acute attack – but mild asthma, and the symptoms of chronic asthma can be devastating to a child’s life. Chronic respiratory illnesses, bronchitis, pneumonia and chest pain can keep children out of school and in the emergency room. By educating the community through public service announcements, school outreach programs, clinic visits and physician incentives, many children with hidden asthma can be reached and treated, reducing the overall costs of health care as well as improving the individual child’s health.

Like diabetes education ten years ago, asthma education today can help alert parents, identify those who suffer from asthma and make sure that appropriate treatment is available to everyone who needs it. This is especially important in the case of childhood asthma, where the diagnoses and treatments and standards of care so often seem to be inequitable. Asthma education can help ensure that all parents are aware of the standard of treatment that their children SHOULD be getting – which is the first step to ensuring that the children get the care that they require. Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in Asthma. When people start looking for more information about Asthma, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.

About the author:

Check out MyHealth-Info.com for more information on asthma education.

Written By: Masni Rizal Mansor

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Jul 19
2007

In his book, Essential Allergy, Niels Mygind defines asthma as,

“A lung disease characterised by: 1, variable and reversible airway obstruction; 2, airway inflammation; and 3, bronchial hyper-responsiveness.”

Asthma is a disease where bronchial tubes are sensitive to irritants, which cause them to inflame and produce difficult breathing. The inflammation can cause,

* contraction of muscles around the air passages, * swelling of the airway lining due to airway inflammation, and, * excessive mucus in the airways.

Asthma occurs in most western countries and is the leading chronic illness of children.

Asthma, in some cases, cannot be cured, but for most patients it can be controlled so that they have only minimal and infrequent symptoms and they can live an active life.

If you have asthma, managing it is an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines or natural remedies as directed by your doctor.

When a person experiences a worsening of their asthma symptoms, it is called an asthma episode or, in severe cases, an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes contract, making the airway openings narrower so less air can flow through. Inflammation increases and the airways become more swollen and narrow. Cells in the airways also make more mucus than usual, which narrows the airways further. The changes to the airways cause the symptoms of asthma.

Asthma attacks are not all the same-some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks. A person suffering from an asthma attack has a sensation similar to drowning.

Learning the warning signs or asthma symptoms can often alert a sufferer in ime to take preventive action, such as medication or natural remedies.

Asthma attacks can occur over a long period of time. Although there are times when acute episodes strike asthmatics, most asthma sufferers say that there are long periods during which they suffer few, if any, asthma symptoms.

Here are some asthma symptoms:

* Coughing. Coughing in people with asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard for them to sleep. This may be the only symptom a child with asthma has. * Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe. * A tight feeling in the chest. This can feel like someone is squeezing or sitting on your chest. * Shortness of breath. Asthma sufferers often say they can’t catch their breath, or they feel breathless or out of breath. * Narrowing of the air passages in the lungs and hence increased resistance to airflow. * Significant reversibility with steroid drugs * Symptom-free periods * Frequent occurrence of allergy * Inflammation of the air passages * Bronchial hyper-responsiveness to non-specific stimuli such as cold air, air pollution, pollen, dust, or other irritants * Asthma symptoms brought on by exercises * Coughing or wheezing brought on by prolonged crying or laughing

Not all people have these symptoms, and symptoms may vary from one asthma attack to another. Some symptoms are mild and some are life threatening.

Symptoms also differ in how often they occur. Some people with asthma only have symptoms once every few months, others have symptoms every week, and still other people have symptoms every day.

Learn how to use natural remedies to reduce asthma attacks and to eliminate many of the asthma symptoms

About the author:

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To discover more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.asthmatreatments.info

Written By: Rudy Silva

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Jul 16
2007

Carol M., was a fun loving child…except for one thing.

She had to drag around a ton of allergies.

Her nose was constantly running and she couldn’t get within ten feet of a cat. As if this wasn’t misery enough, she had to put up with constant teasing from playmates. They took to calling her Miss Runny Nose.

Carol longed to be an adult because she had been told she might outgrow her allergies. But this didn’t happen.

Instead, her allergies turned into asthma. She ended up taking drugs several times a day and constantly reaching for an inhaler.

Nights were often the worst. In order to breathe she had to sleep sitting up.

The drugs added to her misery, making her feel as if she’d been on a coffee binge. She had difficulty concentrating. And every nerve in her body seemed to be exposed.

Despite everything, Carol did manage to launch a successful professional singing career. But demon asthma kept advancing. Eventually, she had to abandon even this joyous activity. Breathing became too difficult.

Desperation drove her to look for drug alternatives. That’s when she discovered simple sugars.

The science made sense to her. Here was food. Not some new miracle drug…not some magic extract from an exotic plant. But food backed by a science taught in medical schools since 2002.

Still she had doubts. It seemed almost too good to be true. But desperate for relief, she decided to try the science. It couldn’t hurt. After all, it was simply food. Non-toxic. No interaction with drugs. Safe as a blueberry muffin.

At first there was no change. But she had been told to expect that. It was like starting an exercise program. Results don’t happen immediately.

Finally, after three months, she noticed she was breathing easier. She went back to sleeping in her bed. And with her doctor’s approval, she began weaning herself off prescription drugs.

That was several years ago and Carol feels better today than she can ever remember. She still includes the simple sugars in her diet. She knows that, just like exercise, those sugars are essential to health. And they have become part of her daily eating habit.
What are these simple sugars?

Just what the name implies. They are sugar. But not the table grade stuff that diabetics have to avoid.

These sugars (there are eight of them) are an essential part of your cellular communication system.

And in case you don’t think this is terribly important consider that cells must communicate their needs to stay healthy. And they are expected to identify bad cells and communicate this to your immune system so they can be eliminated.

Reduce your intake of simple sugars and it may scramble your cellular communication system. And that opens the door to disease.

Bottom line is this.

We need these simple sugars everyday. And our modern diet provides precious few of them. Therefore, almost all of us are experiencing health problems…sometimes life debilitating or life threatening.

You should at least become familiar with this science.

Your doctor may not know about it. Even though the science has been written up in almost every medical journal, food’ topics often go unnoticed within the medical community.

You may need to check it out on your own. There are many resources available. The important thing is to do it now.

Spending a few minutes checking out a relatively new but proven medical treatment could be a lifesaver for you or a loved one.

About the Author

Doug Grant and his wife Jan have helped many people learn about the Science of Simple Sugars. For more information visit www.GrantForHealth.com.

Written By: Doug C. Grant

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Jul 13
2007

It has been calculated that approximately 60% of all asthma cases are caused by allergies. No cure yet exists for asthma but with treatment asthma attacks can be greatly reduced in both frequency and severity and the asthma sufferers general health can be much like that of a normal person.

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. When exposed to the allergen, allergic asthma sufferers experience an attack. During an asthma attack, the airways become blocked or narrowed, causing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Sypmtomatically allergic asthma is the same as normal asthma, it is the cause of the attacks that differ. So it is important to correctly diagnose the allergen which is causing the attacks. Once this has been done the patient can organise their life in such a way as to avoid contact with the allergen.

Oftentimes allergic asthma can be caused by multiple allergens, this can complicate diagnosing the allergens causing attacks. Some of these allergens will only be present in the atmosphere occasionally or seasonally (such as pollen from plants).

If allergic asthma and the allergen are not identified correctly, medical treatment might not help much, if at all, in neutralizing the influence of the allergen. What is more, about 50 percent of adults and over 80 percent of children are allergic to something in their environment, i.e. to something they are exposed all the time.

There are many possible allergens which can afflict asthma sufferers, however there is a relatively small set of common allergens which can be identified by skin or blood tests such as pollen, dust, mold, chemicals, trees and other plant life, insects, etc. There are some other possible causes for asthma attacks such as cold air, exercise, viral infections and tobacco smoke.

Certain allergens are impossible to avoid without severely changing your day to day life (such as air pollution), in this case all that can be done is to limit your exposure to the allergen.

If you are encountering the allergen at home there is more you can do to eliminate exposure to it. Dust is a very common allergen, it can be eliminated from the home by cleaning (carpets especially) using a deep dust extraction vacuum cleaner or a standard cleaner with special dust filters. Of course to avoid contact with the dust it is best if someone who is not allergic does the cleaning.

Even if you love pets, their presence may be a trigger for an asthma attack. It may be necessary to keep them away from the house, as the only alternative to finding them another home. Also, keep doors and windows shut, because for asthma sufferers fresh air is not good ~ if it is cold outside, the cold air could trigger an attack; if it is spring ~ the smell of trees and grass also might lead to asthma attacks.

Sometimes the sufferer might need “desensitization” or immunotherapy, which is a treatment involving injections of increasing doses of the allergen, until the body does not react to the allergen anymore. This is usually done in cases where the allergen cannot be avoided.

Sacha Rigson is the webmaster and owner of Asthma Co Her site has a widespread collection of information on asthma, including a free newsletter, resources and articles about asthma. For lots of information about asthma, go to: http://www.asthmaco.com

Copyright Sacha Rigson – www.asthmaco.com

Written By: Sacha Rigson

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Jul 10
2007

If you have asthma, managing it is an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma symptoms means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines as directed by your doctor. If you have asthma, it is important to learn how to take care of yourself and learn what natural remedies can help you and what diet will reduce your asthma symptoms.

It is important that you work with your doctor to make an action plan that you are both happy with. As part of this, you will need to:

* Tell your doctor about all other medications, drugs, and natural remedies you are taking, in case one of them affects your asthma. * Follow your asthma action plan and have regular checkups. * Learn to use your medication correctly. Ask your doctor to teach you how to use your inhaler. This is very important. If inhalers are not used correctly, less medication gets into the airways.

You also need to learn to identify and avoid the things that can worsen or trigger your asthma symptoms. These include:

* If animal dander is a problem for you, keep your pet out of the house and/or at least out of your bedroom and wash your pet often, or find it a new home. * Do not smoke or allow smoking in your home. * If pollen is a problem for you, stay indoors with the air conditioner on when the pollen count is high. * To control dust mites, wash your sheets, blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys once a week in hot water. You can get special dust proof covers for your mattress and pillows. * To prevent colds and flu keep your immune system up and strong by taking natural remedies. * If you get asthma when you exercise or do routine physical activities like climbing stairs, work with your doctor to find ways to be active without having asthma symptoms. Physical activity is important. * Try to keep humidity levels in the home between 30 and 50 percent. High humidity can promote growth of biological agents that may trigger asthma episodes. Use exhaust fans or open windows in the kitchen or bathroom areas when cooking, using the dishwasher, or taking showers. Make sure clothes dryers are vented to the outdoors, and use a dehumidifier in the basement if necessary. * Avoid using humidifiers * Minimize exposure to combustion particles and gases that can cause breathing difficulties for people with asthma. Have combustion-powered furnaces, stoves, or heaters checked yearly to make sure they are operating properly. Change furnace filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or every month or two during periods of use. * Avoid sprays like deodorants, perfumes, or air fresheners, odours from paint * Keep the house clean to reduce allergens like microscopic dust mites, pollen, and animal dander. Use an allergen-proof comforter and encase mattresses and box springs in vinyl covers. Wash bedding frequently in hot (130F) water. Try to eliminate cockroaches. Try to keep pets out of the bedrooms of family members with asthma. Use a high-efficiency vacuum system that is vented to the outside to clean the house. If possible, remove the carpeting, drapes, and all upholstered furniture from the bedrooms of those suffering from asthma.

Finally, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats and sugars, get enough rest, exercise regularly, try to find ways to manage stress in your life. And, find out what natural remedies will help you reduce your asthma attacks and symptoms.

If your asthma seems to be getting worse, see your doctor. You may need to change your medication or do other things to get your asthma under control.

About the author:

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To discover more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.asthmatreatments.info

Written By: Rudy Silva

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Jul 7
2007

An asthma attack is often triggered by exposure to an allergen of some sort – an asthma trigger. Identifying a food or environmental asthma trigger can help you avoid it – and lessen the risk of an acute asthma attack. While there are some people who have food allergies or are especially sensitive to particular things, there are some items that are well-known, common asthma triggers. By controlling your exposure to an asthma trigger, you can reduce the severity and frequency of your asthma symptoms.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are one of the most common asthma triggers known. Dust mites are tiny insects that live on sloughed off skin cells and excrete a substance that tends to trigger attacks in many people who have asthma. Dust mites breed and grow in mattresses, pillows, stuffed animals, carpets, draperies – anywhere that is soft and offers somewhere for them to burrow and hide. You can control dust mites in your environment by using covers on mattresses and pillows, getting rid of stuffed animals in bedrooms, and remove carpets and draperies.

Dust

Separate from dust mites, dust itself can be an asthma trigger because it’s a bronchial irritant. Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to keep from scattering dust when cleaning, and use a canister (or water-filtered) vacuum cleaner to avoid spewing dust from the carpet into the air to be inhaled.

Mold

Mold spores are another asthma trigger found in many homes. To keep the exposure to mold down, wipe down bathroom tiles regularly with bleach or a disinfectant, dry clean laundry immediately and reduce moisture in the air with a dehumidifier.

Cockroach Parts

Cockroach litter and parts contain an irritant/allergen that is an asthma trigger for many children. While most people associate cockroaches with dirt and poor housekeeping, cockroaches are just as happy in very clean homes. Roach traps and other insecticides can help keep the cockroach population down.

Pet Dander

Shed skin cells from pets can be one of the most virulent of asthma triggers. If you can’t bring yourself to part with your pet, at least keep it out of the family sleeping areas to reduce the chance of exposure to pet dander.

Pollen

At certain times of the year, pollen can become a pervasive asthma trigger. During hay fever season, particular if you live in an area that also has poor air quality. Many newspapers and radio stations publish a daily air quality rating. Make a point of knowing when the air quality is unhealthy and avoid going outside, or at least engaging in any vigorous activity outdoors.

Cold Air

Cold dry air can trigger an asthma attack in people who are sensitive to it. It may be because the cold tends to dry out bronchial tissues more quickly than warm moist air. In any case, wearing a scarf or face mask in cold temperatures, particularly if you’re exercising at all, can help reduce the incidence of asthma attacks due to cold.

Exercise

Exercise can sometimes be an asthma trigger. The reason, doctors think, is most likely that during exercise most people breathe more quickly and shallowly, drying out lung and bronchial tissues more quickly.

Food Allergies

Food and other allergies can also trigger asthma attacks. These are far more individualized, though peanuts are one of the more common. Obviously, if you’re aware of food allergies, avoiding them can help reduce your risk of having an asthma attack.

About the author:

Visit Medopedia.com for more information on living with asthma and treatments for asthma.

Written By: Isabelle Boulay

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Jul 4
2007

Asthma is a chronic condition which is now become very infamous due to its occurrence from a young to old. There are many of factors which come into picture such as genetic as well as environmental.

Causes

It causes breathlessness which occurs often due to some allergies which is defined by sudden chest congestion, attacks of wheezing and constant battle with the lung and air. You get a feeling of loss of breath due to narrowing down of the tubes from our lungs. As this tube becomes narrower it becomes very hard to breathe. Other reasons for this attack can be due to throat contract and the tubes are swollen. Non-allergic asthma occurs due to exercise, weather change or some viral infection. It is also classified as either allergens or irritants.

There are triggering agents which cause asthma which can be such a silly thing for many, but can be deadly too. Some of them can be pets, pillows, pollution, perfumes, dust, plants and many more. Once you identify the triggering agent you should be ready to prevent it before the attack happens. The sad part of asthma is that it is not age related from a 2 year-old to an 80 year-old can have asthma.

Avoid

The first victory would to know what has triggered that attack in you. Once you know that, you should take precautions to avoid that. Keeping your house clean, wiping it with a damp cloth to avoid the dust, stay away from people who smoke and from pets if you are allergic to that. A change in lifestyle happens when such a disease has its presence in your life.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of asthma may differ from person to person. The feeling is someone trying to drown you, where in you face shortage of air due to the inflammation in your lungs. Signs of asthma are mostly wheezing which happens due to the mucus present in the airway which causes the breathlessness. Sometimes it can be so severe that you may lose your consciousness and complaining of a chest pain.

Remedies

Modern Medicines

Inhalers are a constant friend of an asthma patient. It soothes the pathway of the airways to breathe freely. There are long-term medications which are being prescribed by the doctors are used to control the occurrence of the attack. These medications help the patient in several ways to get back to its normal life.

Water therapy

There are theories that intake of water can prevent asthma attacks. Asthma occurs when the air passage is blocked so as to hinder the passage of water in vapor form from the body.

Hypnosis

It has help create lot of myths people carry with allergies which are sometimes 30% of the times, the reason for asthma attack. Allergies some say is a mistake which the brain makes in presence of some substances. Brain seems to overreact with the opinion of that the substance is life threatening. These mistakes can be corrected with hypnosis.

Breathing exercises

Buteyko method of exercise has helped many asthma patients. People who used to take two puffs a day of bronchodilators have seen a major change. This method of breathing helps in reducing the intake of inhalers, medicines, and other steroids.

Other theory is that asthma is a defense mechanism which our body uses to keep the gases intact in our lungs. With the modern medicine and increased used of technology new solutions and remedies have come into picture to help the suffering people.

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Written By: Kala S

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